11 replies to this topic

[DClarke1954]

I cannot help grinning while driving the Mini, it's so much fun.

But what I don't like so much is the noise level of the induction and exhaust that while part of the charm do seem to be far louder than I remember my little 1959 Mk1 850 mini from 50 years ago.

How/Why do people put music systems in Mini's when it gets totally drowned out by the car's own sound-show?

My classic just has thin carpets with a green compressed fibre underlay.

What level of soundproofing is required I wonder in order to be able to hear even a simple 30W bluetooth speaker on the rear parcel shelf?

What's the recommendation to make the sound levels from the other side of the bulkhead and the through exhaust a little less intrusive.

At 70+ I'm clearly NOT a boy racer needing to impress everyone with deep bass notes and rap-music lyrics.

Some ability to spotify my sort of music to a bluetooth speaker and to be able to hear it would be nice. 

[mab01uk]

What kind of air filter assembly do you have? 

Many aftermarket 'sports' type air filters give very uncomfortable levels of induction roar with little benefit to performance. An efficient K&N type filter fitted in the standard factory air filter plastic housing is by far the best set up for low induction noise levels.

K&N HS4/HIF AIR FILTER ELEMENT:-

https://www.minispar...-filter-element

 

An RC40 twin-box exhaust system from Minispares is also best for low noise but with good performance, rather than 'boy racer' noise levels inside and outside the car.....

TWIN BOX RC40 EXHAUST:-

https://www.minispar...ox-rc40-exhaust

 

Often missing after a few years is the factory fitted bulkhead soundproofing to reduce noise transmission from the carb/air filter area.

BULKHEAD SOUNDPROOFING FIRE WALL MK3 ON:-

Fire retardent felt with correct cut outs for MK3 cars for the mini firewall just behind the carb and air cleaner full width of the panel

https://www.minispar...ire-wall-mk3-on

Edited by mab01uk, 15 March 2025 - 06:06 PM.

[nicklouse]

Fit the standard air filter housing.

[bikewiz]

I cannot help grinning while driving the Mini, it's so much fun.

But what I don't like so much is the noise level of the induction and exhaust that while part of the charm do seem to be far louder than I remember my little 1959 Mk1 850 mini from 50 years ago.

How/Why do people put music systems in Mini's when it gets totally drowned out by the car's own sound-show?

My classic just has thin carpets with a green compressed fibre underlay.

What level of soundproofing is required I wonder in order to be able to hear even a simple 30W bluetooth speaker on the rear parcel shelf?

What's the recommendation to make the sound levels from the other side of the bulkhead and the through exhaust a little less intrusive.

At 70+ I'm clearly NOT a boy racer needing to impress everyone with deep bass notes and rap-music lyrics.

Some ability to spotify my sort of music to a bluetooth speaker and to be able to hear it would be nice. 

You can try Dynamat with 1/2" Dynaliner over it on the floor and bulkhead but i think you'll still find the car is loud inside. I did my cars floor, doors, bulkhead and seat back with Dynamat, I covered the floor, bulkhead, and seatback with 1/2" Dynaliner then Newton Commercial carpet set and I don't think it changed the noise level by 5dB.

It's a loud old car, just the wind noise alone is probably twice what a modern car has.

[DClarke1954]

Thanks to all for the advice and tips/links to products that can help.

The K&N filter in a "normal" airbox sounds good, but can you still get a "normal airbox", this car had just a moth-eaten "sponge-sock" Ram-air air filter on when it arrived and I threw it away for a K&N lookalike cone filter.

Month by month I can invest some of my pension in the car to make it as nice as I can afford, so nothing is off the table really.

Thanks again.

[IronmanG]

That cone filter makes a massive difference. Nick is spot on

[mab01uk]

Yes get rid of the cone filter they are always too noisy....as said you need a standard factory fit air filter housing.

 

Standard fit filter housing for each type of carb and year of Mini are shown and listed here:-

https://www.somerfor....uk/air-filters

 

All the standard housings are no longer available new so you will need to track one down as a used part on ebay, etc. or maybe try a wanted ad on TMF.

You may also need the alloy elbow that fits between the carb inlet and filter housing if it has been removed for a cone filter.

 

What type of SU carb do you have?

 

Couple of examples on sale below, try to get an air filter housing complete assembly with elbow and securing wing nuts, the air temperature control part of air intake is not essential to have.

Classic Mini air filter housing, single HS4 - 72'-92' - used :-

https://www.ebay.co....3QaAj8QEALw_wcB

 

Classic Mini Air filter Box:-

https://www.ebay.co....490.c101224.m-1

Edited by mab01uk, 15 March 2025 - 09:55 PM.

[Shooter63]

Ask the Essex mini Club, I'm sure someone will have a STD filter housing hidden away somewhere, if not PM me, I'm sure I've got one in a shed.

Shooter

[DClarke1954]

 

What type of SU carb do you have?

 

 

The carb is a HIF44 on a metro 1275 engine, no elbow present.  So both needed. 

[DClarke1954]

Ask the Essex mini Club, I'm sure someone will have a STD filter housing hidden away somewhere, if not PM me, I'm sure I've got one in a shed.

Shooter

I have asked on the EMC FB page.  Waiting for responses yay or nay.  Thanks.

If I come draw a blank with EMC I will PM you.   Thank you so much.

 

Dan.

[Chris1275gt]

I slapped a layer of the green fibre felt on every available panel starting with the entire front bulkhead inside and in the engine bay down to the top of the subframe under the rear parcel shelf the front arches, under the rear seat and the small bulkheads under the back seat and the entire floor including the box section then on top of that with 12mm closed cell foil backed self adhesive foam and aluminium tape over all the joints. A cheap carpet set over top job done. Apart from the slight noise from the webasto which you can’t do anything about the outside noise is negligible as mine is de-seemed.

[Blumeanie]

I am in search of an OEM airbox for my MPI. 
I went with a K&N long ago and somewhere in my many moves, this was lost. I would like to have this for the sake of originality.

Please do let me know if someone comes across one that is available! Thanks in advance!

I have good mates in the UK who could receive it for me (for ease of logistic) - And I also have a mailing address in California, in case there is one available on this side. (I typically do not ship anything to Mexico as it is higher risk).